P069C Cylinder 10 Glow Plug Control Circuit Low
OBD-II Trouble Code Technical Description
Cylinder #10 Glow Plug Circuit Low
What does that mean?
This generic powertrain diagnostic trouble code (DTC) typically applies to many OBD-II vehicles. That may include but is not limited to vehicles from VW, Porsche, Ford, Toyota, GM, Chevrolet, Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, etc.
When a code P069C is stored, it means that the powertrain control module (PCM) has detected a low voltage condition for the glow plug control circuit for cylinder #10. Consult a source of reliable vehicle information to determine the location of the #10 cylinder for your year/make/model/engine combination.
Diesel engines use high compression instead of spark to initiate piston movement. Since there is no spark involved, cylinder temperature must be increased to maximize compression. Glow plugs are used in each cylinder to accomplish this increase.
Often confused with spark plugs, a glow plug for each individual cylinder is threaded into the cylinder head. Battery voltage is applied to the glow plug element via a glow plug timer (sometimes called a glow plug controller or glow plug module) and/or the PCM. When voltage is correctly applied to the glow plug, it will literally glow red hot and aid in increasing cylinder temperature. Once cylinder temperature reaches the desired level, voltage is restricted by the control unit and the glow plug returns to its normal state.
If the PCM detects a level of voltage, for cylinder #10 glow plug control circuit that is lower than expected, a code P069C will be stored and a malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) may be illuminated.
Example photo of a glow plug:
What is the severity of this DTC?
Any glow plug related code will likely be accompanied by drivability issues. A stored code P069C should be addressed with urgency.
What are some of the symptoms of the code?
Symptoms of a P069C trouble code may include:
What are some of the common causes of the code?
Causes for this code may include:
What are some P069C troubleshooting steps?
A diagnostic scanner, a reliable source of vehicle information, and a digital volt/ohmmeter (DVOM) will be required in order to arrive at an accurate diagnosis of a code P069C. Use the vehicle information source to search for applicable technical service bulletins (TSB). If you locate a TSB that matches the vehicle make and model, symptoms exhibited, and the code stored, it will help you to arrive at a diagnosis.
You may also need to obtain diagnostic flow charts, wiring diagrams, connector face views, connector pin out charts, component locations, and component testing procedures/specifications from the vehicle information source. All this information will be needed to correctly diagnose the stored code P069C.
After performing a careful visual inspection of all glow plug and glow plug control wiring and connectors, connect the diagnostic scanner to the vehicle diagnostic port. Now, retrieve all stored codes and freeze frame data and record it for later (just in case you need it). Next, I would test drive the vehicle to see if the code P069C is reset. Drive until one of two things happens: Either the PCM enters readiness mode or the code is reset. If the code is reset, continue with the diagnosis. If it is not, you are dealing with an intermittent condition which may have to worsen before an accurate diagnosis may be achieved.
Here is a tip that the service manual will not give you. A sure way to test glow plugs is to remove them and apply battery voltage. If the glow plug glows bright red, it is good. If the glow fails to heat up, and you want to take time to test it with your DVOM, you will likely discover that it does not meet manufacturer’s specifications for resistance. Be careful not to burn yourself or start a fire when performing this test.
If the glow plugs appear to be working properly, use the scanner to activate the glow plug timer and test for battery voltage (and a ground) at the glow plug connector (use the DVOM). If no voltage is present, test the power supply for the glow plug timer or glow plug controller. Test all related fuses and relays as recommended by the manufacturer. As a rule, I have found it best to test system fuses and fusible links with the circuit loaded. The fuse for a circuit which is not loaded may appear to be functional (when it is not) and lead you down the wrong diagnostic path.
If all fuses and relays appear functional, use the DVOM to test output voltage at the glow plug timer or PCM (wherever it originates). If voltage is detected at the glow plug timer or PCM, suspect that you have an open or shorted circuit. You may seek out the cause of the discrepancy or simply replace the circuit.
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"Delete Error Code Permanently, Disable DTC Error Code Function for p069c in the ECU"
In extreme cases, we even have the option to permanently remove the specific DTC p069c and disable the function of the specific error code in the ECU. All other fault code functions will then continue to work to protect the engine. This is different from clearing an error code with a diagnostic device. We have the option to permanently remove the function of the specific error code, so that it never comes back. Also emergency running that occurs on the specific error code can be solved in most cases.
Of course we prefer to first try to solve the cause of the error code, but sometimes the only solution is to permanently disable the DTC function of p069c.
